Today is a new day. Honestly. It is. Yesterday was its own thing. Sure, each new day is influenced by what happened the day before. But there’s nothing you can do about that now, is there? The same goes for last week, last year, or even the last decade. That was then. This is now. … Continue reading Hope is kindled
hope
Illness has an end-date
There are seven miraculous “signs” in John’s Gospel. One is the healing of a boy with a death-threatening fever. “The royal official said, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live’” (John 4:49-50). But what purpose do these signs serve? They certainly provide compassionate help! But they also confirm … Continue reading Illness has an end-date
The definition of hope
Sunday marked the start of Advent, a Latin word meaning “coming.” It refers to the coming of Christ, either as a baby at Christmas, or as Saviour and Judge at his return. A repeated theme during Advent is hope. But what is hope? My son and I were brainstorming things we hope for. We hope for … Continue reading The definition of hope
Don’t take hope for granted
We can take things for granted. Even hope. William Temple paints a bleak picture of not having any hope, nor any belief in the source of hope, God: “for man’s moral and spiritual life is in this world a baffled and thwarted enterprise; and the scene of our endeavor is slowly becoming uninhabitable, so that … Continue reading Don’t take hope for granted
You have to go out!
In Cape May, New Jersey, a commander of a ship was aboard with his men. They were getting ready to head out onto the open waters. A massive storm was brewing. One of the young men shouted, “But, Captain! If we go out there, we may never come back.” The captain answered, “Son, you don’t … Continue reading You have to go out!
The weekly reminder that the best is yet to come
Rest. We know it’s good. We know we need it. We probably want more of it. Dragging feet, dark bags under our eyes, and deflated hearts testify this to be the case. But it also serves a larger function. Momentary rest is meant to foreshadow eternal rest. By “eternal rest” I mean the Rest-In-Peace variety … Continue reading The weekly reminder that the best is yet to come
I look for the good things
I know someone who seems incapable of seeing anything in a positive way. Cynicism is the air they breathe—both in and out. They even seem to think that their tainted outlook makes them wise. But it doesn’t. If you’re like the rest of humanity, this most recent chapter of life hasn’t been ideal. That’s why … Continue reading I look for the good things
There is hope for you too
After looking in the tomb where Jesus’ body had been (and not finding it), Luke 24:12 tells us that Peter “went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” The word for “wondering” could also be translated as “marveling.” He was marveling at the events. At this point in the story I get the sense that … Continue reading There is hope for you too
Real hardship and real hope
The resurrection of Jesus transformed the apostles. Initially, they were sad and dejected after the crucifixion. They were probably also traumatized from what they had seen, and perhaps even ashamed since some of them had denied or abandoned Jesus. But then they saw him alive again. It turned them into lions of courage and hope. … Continue reading Real hardship and real hope
Fighting forgetfulness: God’s power then and now
A friend of mine was clearly upset. We were classmates. He was no stranger to life’s troubles, and was also very insightful. It was as if he could perceive the meaning of things on multiple levels at the same time. He was sitting in a study carol in the library reading his Bible. I came … Continue reading Fighting forgetfulness: God’s power then and now
